Weight-lifting bar having sensory training components

ABSTRACT

A weight-lifting bar having a metal tubular member, a transparent plastic tubular member, a plurality of balls, and first and second elastomeric plugs is provided. The plurality of balls are disposed within the transparent plastic tubular member. At least a first ball of the plurality of balls is viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member when the first ball is proximate to an elongated opening of the metal tubular member. The first and second elastomeric plugs are coupled to the weight-lifting bar such that the plurality of balls are contained in the weight-lifting bar.

BACKGROUND

A known weight-lifting device having a bar and internal balls cannot provide visual feedback as to the exact position of the balls contained within the bar. The inventor herein has recognized that it would be advantageous to allow a user to visually see a position of at least a portion of the balls within a weight-lifting bar to improve a user's balance when performing certain exercises in which the weight-lifting bar should be maintained substantially parallel to the ground.

SUMMARY

A weight-lifting bar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The weight-lifting bar includes a metal tubular member having a first end portion, a second end portion, an intermediate portion, and a first internal region. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first and second end portions. The first internal region extends through the first and second end portions and the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has an elongated opening extending therethrough. The weight-lifting bar further includes a transparent plastic tubular member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a second internal region. The transparent plastic tubular member is disposed in the first internal region. The weight-lifting bar further includes a plurality of balls disposed in the second internal region of the transparent plastic tubular member that at least partially fills the second internal region. At least a first ball of the plurality of balls is viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member when the first ball is proximate to the elongated opening of the metal tubular member. The weight-lifting bar further includes a first elastomeric plug that is disposed in at least one of the first and second internal regions proximate to the first end portion of the metal tubular member to contain the plurality of balls in the second internal region. The weight-lifting bar further includes a second elastomeric plug that is disposed in at least one of the first and second internal regions proximate to the second end portion of the metal tubular member to contain the plurality of balls in the second internal region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a weight-lifting bar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1 rotated to a first position;

FIG. 4 is another schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1 rotated to a second position;

FIG. 5 is another schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1 rotated to a third position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is another exploded schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1, tilted in a first direction;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1, tilted in a second direction;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a first end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional schematic of the first end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional schematic of the first end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1, taken along lines 14-14 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view schematic of a first fastener utilized in the first end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a plurality of balls utilized in the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a first elastomeric plug utilized in the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a first end cap utilized in the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 another schematic of the first end cap of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of a second end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional schematic of the second end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional schematic of the second end portion of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1, taken along lines 22-22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of a second end cap utilized in the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 another schematic of the second end cap of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a schematic of a weight-lifting bar in accordance with another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 25 rotated to a first position;

FIG. 27 is an exploded schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 25; and

FIG. 28 is another exploded schematic of the weight-lifting bar of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a weight-lifting bar 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The weight-lifting bar 10 includes a metal tubular member 30, a transparent plastic tubular member 32, a plurality of balls 34, a first elastomeric plug 40, a first fastener 42, a first end cap 44, a second elastomeric plug 50, a second fastener 52, and a second end cap 54.

An advantage of the weight-lifting bar 10 is that the weight-lifting bar 10 has the plurality of balls 34 disposed therein, which provides feedback to a user regarding whether the user is utilizing a proper technique when lifting the weight-lifting bar 10. During certain exercises, when a user is lifting the weight-lifting bar 10, it is desirable that the weight-lifting bar 10 be maintained substantially perpendicular to a gravity vector 54 (e.g., the weight-lifting bar 10 being maintained substantially parallel to the ground). The ability to locate the position of the plurality of the balls 34 along the longitudinal axis 56 provides the user with enhanced feedback which can improve a user's balance when performing certain exercises in which the weight-lifting bar 310 should be maintained substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector 54.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the metal tubular member 30 is provided to support the remaining components of the weight-lifting bar 10. The metal tubular member 10 has sufficient weight and structural stiffness for use in exercise training.

The metal tubular member 30 has a first end portion 74, a second end portion 76 and an intermediate portion 78. The intermediate portion 78 is disposed between the first end portion 74 and the second end portion 76. The intermediate portion 78 comprises an elongated opening 90 extending therethrough. The metal tubular member 30 further includes a first internal region 80 that extends through the first end portion 74, the second end portion 76, and the intermediate portion 78. The metal tubular member 30 also includes a longitudinal axis 56, a gravity vector 58 and a longitudinal midpoint 92. The first end portion 74 has an opening 100, a first aperture 102, and a second aperture 103. The second end portion 76 has an opening 110, a first aperture 112, and a second aperture 113. The metal tubular member 30 is coupled to the transparent plastic tubular member 32, the first elastomeric plug 40, the second elastomeric plug 50, the first fastener 42, the second fastener 52, the first end cap 44, and the second end cap 54.

In an exemplary embodiment, the metal tubular member 30 is constructed of a metal or a metal-alloy. Further, the length of the metal tubular member 30 is in a range of 24-62 inches, and an outer diameter of the metal tubular member 30 is 0.75 inches. Of course, in another exemplary embodiment, a length of the metal tubular member 30 could be greater than 62 inches or less than 62 inches. Further, an outer diameter of the metal tubular member 30 is in a range of 0.25-2.0 inches. In some embodiments, the elongated opening 90 is centered longitudinally about the longitudinal midpoint 92.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the transparent plastic tubular member 32 is provided to be disposed within the first internal region 80 of the metal tubular member 30 and to hold the plurality of balls 34 therein. Further, the transparent plastic tubular member 32 prevents the plurality of balls 34 from escaping the first internal region 80 in the areas where the metal tubular member 30 has an elongated opening 90. The transparency property of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 allows the user to view the plurality of balls 34 when they are generally located at the elongated opening 90 inside the first internal region 80. The transparent plastic tubular member 32 has a first end portion 130, a second end portion 140, an intermediate portion 145, and a second internal region 150. The first end portion 130 has a first aperture 152 and a second aperture 153 extending therethrough. The second end portion 140 has a first aperture 155 and a second aperture 156 extending therethrough. The transparent plastic tubular member 32 is disposed in the first internal region 80 of the metal tubular member 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the transparent plastic tubular member 32 is constructed of a plastic material. Further, the length of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 is in a range of 24-62 inches. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the length of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 is substantially equal (e.g., ±10%) to a length of the metal tubular member 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, the plurality of balls 34 provide physical feedback to the user as to the position of the weight-lifting bar 10 with respect to the gravity vector 58, along the longitudinal axis 56. The plurality of balls 34 include the balls 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 which are disposed along the longitudinal axis 56. The plurality of balls 34 are disposed in the second internal region 150 of the transparent plastic tubular member 32, and at least partially fill the second internal region 150. When the weight-lifting bar 10 is disposed perpendicular to the gravity vector 58, the ball 194 is disposed proximate to the longitudinal midpoint 92 and is viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member 32 and the elongated opening 90 of the metal tubular member 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of each one of the plurality of balls 34 is smaller than an inner diameter of the transparent plastic tubular member 32, such that the order of the balls cannot change, while moving longitudinally within the second internal region 150 between the first end portion 140 and the second end portion 150.

In an exemplary embodiment, the balls 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 are constructed of a metal or a metal-alloy, and the balls 192, 194, 196 are constructed of at least one of a plastic, nylon, wood, copper, and cork. As a result, the balls 192, 194, 196 have a different color and visual look as compared the balls 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 which is advantageous for allowing a user to view the balls 102, 194, 196 through the elongated opening 90 of the metal tubular member 30 when the weight-lifting bar 10 is disposed perpendicular to the gravity vector 58 (shown in FIG. 1). As shown, the ball 192 is disposed between the ball 194 and the ball 190. Further, the ball 196 is disposed between the ball 194 and the ball 198. In an alternative embodiment, the balls 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 are constructed of steel and the balls 192, 194, 196 are constructed of copper. In another embodiment, the individual weight of each of the balls in the 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 is approximately one hundred grams, but a person skilled in the art may adjust the weight of the balls during manufacturing, according the desired overall weight of the weight-lifting bar 10. Further, the overall weight of the weight-lifting bar 10 can be varied by varying the number of balls that comprise the plurality of balls 34. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the balls in the plurality of balls 34 is spherical, however a person skilled in the art may redesign the shape of a ball to be a non-spherical shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) and still move within the second internal region 150. Still further, in an alternative embodiment, the plurality of balls 34 are coated with a plastic layer or a rubber compound.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 9, 11-14 and 17, the first elastomeric plug 40 is disposed in at least one of the first internal region 80 and second internal region 150 proximate to the first end portion 74 of the metal tubular member 30 to contain the plurality of balls 34 in the second internal region 150. The first elastomeric plug 40 prevents the plurality of the balls 34 from escaping the first internal region 80 and second internal region 150 via the first opening 100, whereas the transparent plastic tubular member 32 is provided to contain the plurality of balls 34 in the first internal region 80, except at the first opening 100 and the second opening 110. The first elastomeric plug 40 has an aperture 230 that extends through the elastomeric plug 40. The choice of an elastomeric material is motivated by a desire to the reduce shock and noise of the plurality of the balls 34 as a ball contacts the first elastomeric plug 40, when moving longitudinally in the transparent plastic tubular member 32 towards the opening 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the first elastomeric plug 40 is constructed of a rubber or a synthetic rubber compound.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first elastomeric plug 40, is coupled to the inner surface of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 and does not contact the metal tubular member 30. Several different embodiments may be created by a person skilled in the art that may vary the exact shape of the first elastomeric plug 40, depending on (a) the length of the metal tubular member 30 and the length of the transparent plastic tubular member 32; and (b) the relative disposition of the metal tubular member 30 longitudinally to the transparent plastic tubular member 32 with respect to the opening 100. Hence, in the scenario where the disposition and length of the metal tubular member 30 and transparent plastic tubular member 32 are not the same or not disposed such as they are both flush with the opening 100, a person skilled in the art may deem it necessary to vary the diameter of the first elastomeric plug 40 along its longitudinal length, to fill up all the space inside the first end portion 130.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 20-22, the second elastomeric plug 50 is disposed in at least one of the first internal region 80 and second internal region 150 proximate to the second end portion 76 of the metal tubular member 30 to contain the plurality of balls 34 in the second internal region 150. The second elastomeric plug 50 prevent the plurality of the balls 34 from escaping the first internal region 80 and second internal region 150 via the second opening 110. The second elastomeric plug 50 has an aperture 235 that extends through the second elastomeric plug 50. The choice of an elastomeric material is motivated by a desire to the reduce shock and noise of the plurality of the balls 34 as a ball contacts the second elastomeric plug 50, when moving longitudinally in the transparent plastic tubular member 32 towards the opening 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the second elastomeric plug 50 is constructed of a rubber or a synthetic rubber compound.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7 and 12-15, the first fastener 42 is provided to couple the first elastomeric plug 40, the transparent plastic tubular member 32, and the metal tubular member 30 together. The first fastener 42 includes a mating bolt 240 and a barrel nut 250 which are threadably coupled together and which affix the first elastomeric plug 40 in the second internal region 150 of the first end portion 130. In particular, the first fastener 42 is used to couple the first end portion 130 of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 to the first end portion 74 of the metal tubular member 30. The first fastener 42 is coupled to the metal tubular member 30, with the mating bolt 240 extending into the first aperture 102, and the barrel nut 250 extending into the second aperture 103 and further extending threadably within the mating bolt 240. Further, the first fastener 42 is coupled to the transparent plastic tubular member 32, with the mating bolt 240 extending into the first aperture 152, and the barrel nut 250 extending into second aperture 153 and further extending threadably within the mating bolt 240. Still further, the first fastener 42 is coupled to the first elastomeric plug 40, with the mating bolt 240 extending into the aperture 230, and the barrel nut 250 extending threadably into the mating bolt 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the first fastener 42 is constructed of a metal or a metal alloy. In an alternative embodiment, the first fastener 42 is a steel rivet.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, 10, 13, 14 and 18-19, a first end cap 44 is configured to protect and cushion the first end portion 74, while visibly concealing from view the first elastomeric plug 40 and the transparent plastic tubular member 32. The first end cap 44 is removably coupled to the first end portion 74. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end cap 44 is constructed of a pliable plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7 and 20-22, the second fastener 52 is provided to couple the second elastomeric plug 50, the transparent plastic tubular member 32, and the metal tubular member 30 together. The second fastener 52 includes a mating bolt 245 and a barrel nut 255 which are threadably coupled together and which affix the second elastomeric plug 50 in the second internal region 150 of the second end portion 140. In particular, the second fastener 52 is used to couple the second end portion 140 of the transparent plastic tubular member 32 to the second end portion 76 of the metal tubular member 30. The second fastener 52 is coupled to the metal tubular member 30, with the mating bolt 245 extending into the first aperture 112, and the barrel nut 255 extending into the second aperture 113 and further extending threadably within the mating bolt 245. Further, the second fastener 52 is coupled to the transparent plastic tubular member 32, with the mating bolt 245 extending into the first aperture 155, and the barrel nut 255 extending into the second aperture 156 and further extending into the mating bolt 240. Still further, the second fastener 52 is coupled to the second elastomeric plug 50, with the mating bolt 245 extending into the aperture 235, and the barrel nut 255 extending threadably into the mating bolt 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the second fastener 52 is constructed of a metal or a metal-alloy. In an alternative embodiment, the second fastener 52 is a steel rivet.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, 10, and 21-24, a second end cap 54 is configured to protect and cushion the second end portion 76, while visibly concealing from view the second elastomeric plug 50 and the transparent plastic tubular member 32. The second end cap 54 is removably coupled to the second end portion 76. In an exemplary embodiment, the second end cap 54 is constructed of a pliable plastic.

When a user is lifting the weight-lifting bar 10 and is using a proper lifting technique to hold the weight-lifting bar 10 parallel to the ground, a longitudinally extending central axis 56 of the weight-lifting bar 10 is disposed generally perpendicular to the gravity vector 54, and the plurality of balls 34 is disposed near the longitudinal midpoint 92 of the bar 10 and thus the weight-lifting bar 10 feels balanced to the user. Alternately, when a user is tilting the weight-lifting bar 10 relative to the gravity vector 54, the plurality of balls 34 are disposed proximate to a first end portion 74 or a second end portion 76 of the weight-lifting bar 10, and the weight-lifting bar 10 thus feels unbalanced to the user. Accordingly, when the user notices that the weight-lifting bar 10 is unbalanced, the user may compensate by adjusting a position of the weight-lifting bar 10 such that the longitudinally extending central axis 56 of the weight-lifting bar 10 is disposed generally perpendicular to the gravity vector 54. Using the elongated opening 90 in the metal tubular member 30, the user is better able to gauge the position of the plurality of balls 34 along the longitudinal midpoint 92 and hence is better able to determine when the weight-lifting bar 10 is being held in a balanced position.

Referring to FIGS. 25-28, a weight-lifting bar 310, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, is provided. The weight-lifting bar 310 has several component that are identical to the components in the weight-lifting bar 10. In particular, the weight-lifting bar 310 includes a transparent plastic tubular member 332, a plurality of balls 334, a first elastomeric plug 340, a first fastener 342, a first end cap 344, a second elastomeric plug 350, a second fastener 352, and a second end cap 354 which are identical in structure to the transparent plastic tubular member 32, the plurality of balls 34, the first elastomeric plug 40, the first fastener 42, the first end cap 44, the second elastomeric plug 50, the second fastener 52, and the second end cap 54, respectively, of the weight-lifting bar 10. However, the weight-lifting bar 310 includes a metal tubular member 330 which has a structure different than the metal tubular member 30 of the weight-lifting bar 10.

The metal tubular member 330 includes a first elongated opening 390, a second elongated opening 395, and a third elongated opening 397. The first elongated opening 390 is disposed longitudinally between the second elongated opening 395 and the third elongated opening 397, and is longitudinally centered about the longitudinal midpoint 392. Further, the metal tubular member 330 includes a first longitudinally extending edge 560 and a second longitudinally extending edge 565 that are disposed apart from one another and which at least partially define the first elongated opening 390. Further, the metal tubular member 330 includes a third longitudinally extending edge 570 and fourth longitudinally extending edge 575 that are disposed apart from one another and which at least partially define the second elongated opening 395. Further, the metal tubular member 330 includes a fifth longitudinally extending edge 580 and sixth longitudinally extending edge 585 that are disposed apart from one another and which at least partially define the third elongated opening 397. The first longitudinally extending edge 560, the third longitudinally extending edge 570, and the fifth longitudinally extending edge 580 are collinear with one another. The second longitudinally extending edge 565, the fourth longitudinally extending edge 575, and the sixth longitudinally extending edge are collinear with one another.

An advantage of the weight-lifting bars 10 and 310 is that the weight-lifting bars 10 and 310 each have a plurality of balls disposed therein, which provides feedback to a user regarding whether the user is holding the weight-lifting bar horizontal to the ground (e.g., perpendicular to a gravity vector 54 shown in FIG. 1) The ability to locate the position of the plurality of the balls 34 along the longitudinal axis provides the user with enhanced feedback which can improve a user's balance when performing certain exercises in which the weight-lifting bar 310 should be maintained substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector 54.

While the claimed invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the claimed invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the claimed invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A weight-lifting bar, comprising a metal tubular member having a first end portion, a second end portion, an intermediate portion, and a first internal region; the intermediate portion being disposed between the first and second end portions; the first internal region extending through the first and second end portions and the intermediate portion; the intermediate portion having an elongated opening extending therethrough; a transparent plastic tubular member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a second internal region, the transparent plastic tubular member being disposed in the first internal region; a plurality of balls being disposed in the second internal region of the transparent plastic tubular member that at least partially fill the second internal region; at least a first ball of the plurality of balls being viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member when the first ball is proximate to the elongated opening of the metal tubular member; a first elastomeric plug being disposed in at least one of the first and second internal regions proximate to the first end portion of the metal tubular member to contain the plurality of balls in the second internal region; and a second elastomeric plug being disposed in at least one of the first and second internal regions proximate to the second end portion of the metal tubular member to contain the plurality of balls in the second internal region.
 2. The weight-lifting bar of claim 1, wherein the plurality of balls further includes second and third balls; the first ball being disposed between the second and third balls.
 3. The weight-lifting bar of claim 2, wherein the first ball being constructed of plastic, and the second and third balls being constructed of metal.
 4. The weight-lifting bar of claim 2, wherein the first ball having a first color, and the second and third balls having a second color different than the first color.
 5. The weight-lifting bar of claim 2, wherein the weight-lifting bar having a longitudinally extending central axis; the first end portion of the metal tubular member defining a first opening, the second end portion of the metal tubular member defining a second opening; the metal tubular member having a dimensional midpoint on the longitudinally extending central axis that is between and equidistant from the first and second openings of the first and second end portions, respectively; and when the longitudinally extending central axis is disposed generally perpendicular to a gravity vector, the first ball is disposed at the dimensional midpoint and is viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member and the elongated opening.
 6. The weight-lifting bar of claim 5, wherein the elongated opening of the metal tubular member being centered longitudinally about the dimensional midpoint on the longitudinally extending central axis.
 7. The weight-lifting bar of claim 6, wherein the second and third balls being viewable in the elongated opening of the metal tubular member, when the longitudinally extending central axis is disposed generally perpendicular to a gravity vector.
 8. The weight-lifting bar of claim 7, wherein the plurality of balls further including fourth and fifth balls; the fourth ball being disposed between the first and second balls, and the fifth ball being disposed between the first and third balls.
 9. The weight-lifting bar of claim 8, wherein the first, fourth and fifth balls being constructed of at least one of a plastic, nylon, wood, cork, and copper; and the second and third balls being constructed of a metal.
 10. The weight-lifting bar of claim 8, wherein the first, fourth and fifth balls being a first color, and the second and third balls being a second color different than the first color.
 11. The weight-lifting bar of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth balls are viewable through the transparent plastic tubular member and the elongated opening of the metal tubular member when the longitudinally extending central axis is disposed generally perpendicular to the gravity vector.
 12. The weight-lifting bar of claim 11, wherein the first end portion of the metal tubular member having first and second apertures extending through the metal tubular member perpendicular to the metal tubular member, and the first end portion of the transparent plastic tubular member having first and second apertures extending through the transparent plastic tubular member perpendicular to the transparent plastic tubular member, the first elastomeric plug having an aperture extending therethrough, and the first fastener member comprises a barrel nut and a mating bolt; the mating bolt extending through the first and second apertures of the metal tubular member, the first and second apertures of the transparent plastic tubular member, and the aperture of the elastomeric plug, the barrel nut is disposed on the metal tubular member and is coupled to the mating bolt.
 13. The weight-lifting bar of claim 5, wherein the metal tubular member further includes a second elongated opening between the first end portion of the metal tubular member and the first elongated opening.
 14. The weight-lifting bar of claim 13, wherein the metal tubular member includes first and second longitudinally extending edges that are disposed apart from one another and which at least partially define the first elongated opening; the metal tubular member further includes third and fourth longitudinally extending edges that are disposed apart from one another and which at least partially define the second elongated opening, the first and third edges being collinear with one another, the second and fourth edges being collinear with one another.
 15. The weight-lifting bar of claim 13, wherein the metal tubular member further includes a third elongated opening between the second end portion of the metal tubular member and the first elongated opening.
 16. The weight-lifting bar of claim 2, wherein the first ball being constructed of a first material, and the second and third balls being constructed of second material different than the first material.
 17. The weight-lifting bar of claim 1, wherein the first endcap member being configured to cover the first end portion of the metal tubular member and first and second ends of the first fastener member. 